The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed serious concern over the increasing incidence of digital arrest scams across India, warning that such cyber-enabled frauds pose a significant threat to citizens’ financial security and fundamental rights. During an open-house discussion on safeguarding human rights against digital arrest scams, the Commission noted that Indians have lost an estimated ₹52,976 crore to cyber-enabled frauds over the past six years, with nearly 8% of these losses linked to digital arrest scams.
A digital arrest scam is a form of cyber fraud in which criminals impersonate police officers, investigative agencies, or other government officials and falsely claim that the victim is involved in illegal activities such as money laundering, identity theft, or financial crimes. Using threats of arrest, legal action, or asset seizure, scammers create panic and pressure victims into transferring money or disclosing sensitive information.
The NHRC highlighted that cyber-enabled frauds are traditional crimes whose scale, reach, and speed are amplified through information and communication technology (ICT). To address the growing menace, the Commission recommended a series of legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms. These include recognising digital arrest scams as a distinct criminal offence, criminalising mule accounts and other enablers of cyber fraud, and strengthening oversight of OTT communication platforms often used by scammers.
The Commission also called for stronger victim protection measures, including the creation of a dedicated compensation fund for victims of cyber fraud and mechanisms to rapidly freeze fraudulent transactions during the critical “golden hour” immediately after a scam is reported. Additionally, it proposed the establishment of a single government verification portal that would allow citizens to verify the authenticity of law enforcement notices, credentials, and official communications, helping prevent fraudsters from exploiting public trust in authorities.
Source: NHRC Open House Discussion on “Safeguarding Human Rights Against Digital Arrest Scams”, June 2026, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
